Fights to create safer space for sexual minorities

Often demeaned and jeered at, the third gender has come out in the open to fight for their rights. To create a safer space for their own community members, many individuals have come together to work for a common cause.

| TNN | Updated: Jul 18, 2011, 03:46 IST

BANGALORE: Often demeaned and jeered at, the third gender has come out in the open to fight for their rights. To create a safer space for their own community members, many individuals have come together to work for a common cause. The Pride March celebrated every year is a testimony to mark their pride and diversity of the Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.
The Delhi high court judgment decriminalizing gay sex was the victory of the struggle of the sexual minorities throughout the country. Individuals like Elavarthi Manohar started Sangama in Bangalore, which has now grown to a large human rights movement throughout the country working for sexual minorities. Elavarthi Manohar, who identifies himself as a bisexual, started the group as a documentation centre. "Since it was difficult to hold open discussions on sexuality, initially Sangama began as a documentation centre. Many things have changed over the last 10 years and Bangalore is now more open," he says.

The organization has its branches in Chennai, Bangalore and Hubli. The total full-time staff strength is around 30 in Karnataka alone.

Talking about what moved him to form this group, he said: "Even though I was working for a social organization, I was scared to talk about my sexuality. I got to know about my sexual leanings when I was 14. But the confusion continued till I was 24," he says.

Joining hands with Sangama was Dil Faraz, a gay. He identifies himself as a male sex worker and is now a board member of Karnataka Sex Workers Union. "I was very confused initially. From my native Chikmagalur I came to Bangalore and later joined Sangama," he says.

RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDERS

The most harassed of the sexual minorities are transgenders who are treated as untouchables. They are not allowed to use public places or given jobs. With no option, they beg on the streets or become sex workers. Akkai Padmasali, a transgender, narrates: "When I was 10-years-old, I realized I was not a male. I was sexually harassed when I was studying SSLC. From 2002 to 2004, I was doing sex work. I was tired of sex work and it was then that I learnt about Sangama. My interest towards working for the community moved me to be part of the organization," Akkai says.

Started as a part-time staffer, Akkai is now working as the programme manager at Sangama.

Like Akkai, Sangama has helped many to carve their niche in different fields. Born into a dalit family, Veena S felt that she was a woman trapped in a male's body at the age of 12 years. "I was teased and harassed for my mannerisms. I was sexually harassed when I was studying SSLC. I couldn't write my exams. My parents also threw me out and I was on the streets for one year. Later, I started doing sex work and was brutally beaten up by police and goondas," says Veena.

From the traumatic sex work, she has stood up to organising people in her slum at Okalipuram to demand for their rights. "I attend to any civic issues and have tremendous support from people," she adds.

Veena started off as a community mobiliser in Sangama and became field supervisor and now she is the advocacy programme coordinator for Samara, a community organization, building communities and fighting for fundamental rights.

Veena says with pride that she is the one who looks after the family. She contested in the recent Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections.

GOALS

Manohar says Sangama has nurtured community organization in 20 districts of Karnataka and raised issues at local level. Recently, protests were held in Bellary and Belgaum against atrocities on hijras.

Many ministers are supportive of their rights. "Power minister Shobha Karandlaje also came out in support of our rights and transgenders have been included as part of backward class. These are some of the positive developments. But a lot remains to be done," Manohar adds.

This includes the health of transgenders also. Transgenders form 0.3% of the total population but they are 15% more vulnerable to HIV infection. "Though new infections have reduced after a lot of work among community members, the government has to take up measures to provide proper health services," he says.

Amidst many challenges, Sangama feels that more work need to be focused on sexual minorities in working class. "We want to take up specific issues for the next Pride March. Besides, we are also planning to celebrate Vasantha Habba __ a Bangalore festival this time," he adds.

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